Removable inlet manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system, the manifold including a driver for actuating a valve integral with the waste collection system

ABSTRACT

A removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a driver for engaging a complementary valve internal to the receiver. The valve regulates flow between the receiver and the down line components of the waste collection system. The valve is normally closed. When the manifold is fitted to the receiver the driver engages the valve so as move the valve to the open position. This allows fluid flow from the manifold and receiver to the downstream components of the system.

RELATIONSHIP TO EARLIER FILED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/554,616 filed 31 Oct. 2006. application Ser. No. 11/554,616 claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. Sec. 119 from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/750,862 filed 14 Dec. 2005. The contents of thepriority applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a system for collecting wastegenerated during a surgical procedure. More particularly, this inventionrelates to a waste collection system with a removable intake manifoldthat, when removed from the system, prevents the release of uncollectedwaste still in the manifold or the complementary receiver to which themanifold was attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A byproduct of the performance of some medical and surgical proceduresis the generation of liquid, semi-solid and solid waste. This wasteincludes body fluids, such as blood, and irrigating solution that areintroduced to the body site at which the procedure is performed. Solidand semisolid waste generated during a procedure includes bits of tissueand small pieces of the surgical material that may be left at the site.Ideally, the waste is collected upon generation so it neither fouls thesurgical site nor becomes a biohazard in the operating room or otherlocation at which the procedure is being performed.

A number of systems are available for use by surgical personnel forcollecting this waste as it is generated. Generally, these units includea suction source, tubing that extends from the suction source and acontainment unit between the tubing and the suction source. When thesystem is actuated, waste is drawn through the opening end of thetubing. The suction draws the waste through the tubing so that it flowsinto and is stored in the containment unit.

One such system is Applicants' Assignee's NEPTUNE surgical wastecollection system. This particular system includes a mobile unit thatincludes a suction pump and a canister. Tubing is connected to thecanister through a removable manifold. Since this unit is mobile, it canbe positioned in relatively close proximity to the patient on which theprocedure is being performed. This reduces the extent to which thesuction tubing, which invariably also functions as operating roomclutter, is present around the surgical personnel. This system also hasfeatures that reduce the extent to which the surgical and supportpersonnel are potentially exposed to the materials collected by thesystem. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/060,665, WASTE COLLECTIONUNIT, published as U.S. Patent Pub. No. US 2005/0187529 A1 on 25 Aug.2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference,describes a number of features of this system.

Another feature of this system is the intake manifold. This manifoldincludes a filter element that traps large bits of solid matter. This isdesirable because these solids can potentially clog the down linecomponents of the system. Moreover, the manifold is formed from materialthat makes it possible to provide the manifold as a single use item.After use of the system, effort does not have to be spent sterilizingthe manifold, with its narrow conduits, or its internal filter. Instead,personnel handling the used manifold only need to contact the outersurface of this component. This process further minimizes the extent towhich these individuals potentially come into contact with the wastematerial. The Applicants' Assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/060,977, MANIFOLD AND FILTER ASSEMBLY WITH FILTER BASKET, publishedas U.S. Patent Pub. No. US 2005/0189288 A1 on 1 Sep. 2006, the contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference, provided a more detaileddescription of this type of manifold.

Use of the above system significantly reduces the extent to whichmedical/surgical personnel are exposed to potentially hazardous medicalwaste. Nevertheless, there are some disadvantages associated with theknown waste collection systems. For example, in the present system, themanifold extends directly into the canister in which the waste isstored. Small droplets of waste can adhere to the sides of the manifold.Upon removal of the manifold from the mobile unit, this adhered liquidis essentially an uncontained waste in the surrounding environment. Ifthe liquid is not immediately wiped off the manifold, it can potentiallyfall of the manifold and be added waste matter that needs to be cleanedoff a floor or other surface.

Also, the filter of the manifold does more than trap the small bits ofsolid that can clog the down stream components of the mobile unit. Thefilter also traps an appreciable volume of semi-solid state waste. Thus,care must be taken when removing the manifold to ensure that this wastedoes not escape.

Moreover, medical personnel sometimes visually monitor the volume ofmaterial collected by the mobile unit canister. This monitoring isperformed to provide a rough estimate of the volume of fluid withdrawnfrom the patient during a procedure. If an appreciable amount of liquidremains trapped in the manifold, the accuracy of the quick visualestimate of collected stored fluid can be adversely affected.

Further, upon removal of the manifold from the canister, the port inwhich the manifold was seated opens to the ambient environment. Materialcollected in the canister is known to emit smells that are typicallyconsidered unpleasant. Thus, the removal of the manifold results in therelease of these odors into the environment.

Also, the air and other fluids flowing through the waste collectionsystem, both the manifold and mobile unit, can generate noise. Thisnoise contributes to the unwanted background noise in an operating room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a new and useful system for collectingsurgical and medical waste. The system of this invention has an intakemanifold to which suction tubes are connected. The manifold is removablycoupled to a manifold receiver, also part of the system. The manifoldand complementary receiver are designed to minimize the release ofuncontained fluids upon removal and replacement of the manifold.

The intake manifold of this invention has a housing. At one end, anumber of inlet fittings extend outwardly. These inlet fittings receivesuction tubes. The opposed end of the housing has an opening throughwhich a suction is drawn. A drip stop is fitted in this opening. Whenthe manifold is seated in the complementary receiver, the opening seatsin a tubular boss that is part of the receiver. A portion of the dripstop is disposed against the outer surface boss so as to prevent leakageof material around the boss.

The drip stop is further formed to have a selectively openable valvethat extends into the space defined by the opening. This valve isnormally closed. Once the manifold is removed from the receiver, thishead closes to prevent waste leakage from the manifold. In one versionof the invention flaps form the valve integral with the drip stop. Whenthe manifold is fitted to the receiver, the flaps are the drip stopmembers that prevent suction loss between the boss and the surroundingmanifold.

The receiver boss extends from a valve, also part of the receiver.Normally, this valve closes a fluid conduit that extends into a canisterin which the waste is stored. As part of the preparation of the systemfor operation, the manifold is properly seated in the receiver. Themanifold includes a geometric feature that engages a complementary drivemember integral with the valve. Thus, the placement of the manifold inthe receiver displaces the valve integral with the drip stop into theopen state. There is an unrestricted fluid path from the manifold to thecomplementary conduit that leads to the canister.

When the manifold is removed, the valve returns to the closed state. Thereturn of the valve to this state blocks the release of unpleasantvapors from the canister when no manifold is removed from the system.

Internal to the manifold of this invention is a filter basket. Thefilter basket both traps large bits of solid matter that are part of thewaste stream while allowing substantially the whole of the liquidcomponent of the stream to flow therethrough. Upon completion of theprocedure, only a minimal amount of liquid state waste, the type that isthe most prone to leakage, is left in the manifold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the claims. The aboveand further features and advantages of the invention are understood bythe following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a medical/surgical waste collection system ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the manifold seated in the manifoldreceiver;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing the manifold seated in themanifold receiver;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a manifold receiver mounted to acanister lid;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the manifold receiver when empty;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged cross sectional view showing the seal between thereceiver adaptor front end plate and the valve disk;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the manifold receiver housing andlock ring;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the manifold receiver door;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the canister cap to whichthe manifold receiver is attached;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the manifold;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the manifold;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the manifold drip stop;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the manifold drip stop;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the filter basket internal to themanifold;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the inside of the manifold cap;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the manifold cap;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a port formed in themanifold cap wherein a fitting opens into a void space internal to themanifold;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the flapper valve internal to themanifold; and

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the flapper valve;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates a waste collection system 30 constructed inaccordance with this invention. System 30, sometimes referred to as amobile unit, includes a base 32. The cover and door assemblies thatnormally conceal the components are mobile unit 30 are not present inFIG. 1 so that these components can be seen. Wheels 34 attached to thebottom of the base 32 provide the system with mobility. Two canisters 36and 38 are mounted to the base 32. A first one of the canisters,canister 36, has a relatively large interior volume, betweenapproximately 10 and 40 liters. The second canister, canister 38, has asmaller volume, between approximately 1 and 10 liters. Each canister 36and 38 has a cap 40 and 42, respectively.

Attached to each canister cap 40 and 42 is a manifold receiver 44. Amanifold 46, seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, is removably seated in each manifoldreceiver 44. As described below, each manifold 46 is formed with anumber of fittings 48. Each fitting 48 receives a separate suction line50, (one shown in FIG. 3). The distal end of each suction line 50 isattached to a suction applicator 52 (FIG. 1). (“Distal,” it isunderstood means towards the surgical site at which the suction isapplied. “Proximal” means away from the surgical site.) While in FIG. 1,suction applicator 52 is shown as handpiece specifically and solelydesigned to apply suction, it should be understood that this isexemplary, not limiting. Sometimes the suction applicator 52 is builtinto another surgical tool, such as an endoscope or ablation tool,applied to surgical site to accomplish a task other than applyingsuction.

Internal to each manifold receiver 44 is a conduit 56 (FIG. 3). Conduit56 functions as a fluid communications path from the manifold 46 intothe canister 36 or 38 with which the receiver is associated.

Also part of mobile unit 30 is a suction pump 58. Conduits 59 and 60,(shown as dashed lines in FIG. 1) connect each canister 36 and 38 to theinlet port of the suction pump 58. When suction pump 58 is actuated, theresultant suction draws matter into the suction applicator 52 andthrough the associated suction line 50, manifold 46 and manifoldreceiver 44. The waste stream flows from the manifold receiver 44 intothe associated canister 36 or 38. Liquid and small solid bits of matterentrained in this flow stream precipitate out of the stream into thecanister 36 or 38. This waste is thus stored in the canister 36 or 38until the canister is emptied. Gas and any small bits of matterentrained in this flow stream flow from the canister towards the suctionpump 58. Filters, not illustrated and not part of this invention, trapthe viral and bacterial-sized matter and some of the components of thegas in this fluid stream prior to the stream being drawing into andexhausted out of the suction pump 58.

II. Manifold Receiver

As seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a manifold receiver 44 consists of threeprimary static components. A housing 62 receives the proximal end of themanifold 46. A receiver adaptor 64 holds the manifold receiver housing62 to the associated canister cap 40 or 42. Adaptor 64 also includesconduit 56 that functions as the flow path from the manifold receiverhousing 62 into the associated canister 36 or 38. A lock ring 66 isattached to distal front end of manifold receiver housing 62. Lock ring66 is formed with geometric features to ensure that, when a manifold 46is fitted in receiver 44, the manifold is properly aligned.

From FIGS. 4 and 5 it can be seen that receiver housing 62 has agenerally cylindrical shape. A rib 61 extends along the top of themanifold receiver housing 62. Also the proximal end of the manifoldreceiver has an outer surface 63 that is stepped inwardly relative tothe more distal outer surface. This spacing facilitates the fitting ofthe receiver 44 to the associated canister cap 40 or 42.

Turning to FIG. 6, it can be seen that manifold receiver housing 62 isformed to define a number of bores, void spaces and windows. These voidscollectively define a through path through the housing 62 along thelongitudinal axis of the housing. At the distal end, housing 62 hascylindrical bore 68. The distal end of receiver housing 62 is formed soas to have a lip 67. Lip 67 extends radially inward into the distal endopening of the housing, this opening being the distal end of bore 68.Immediately adjacent to the proximal end of bore 68 there is a bore 70.The manifold receiver housing 62 is formed so that bore 70 has adiameter that decreases along its length as the distance from bore 68increases. Bore 70 opens into a second constant diameter bore, bore 72.Bore 72 has a diameter equal to that of the smallest diameter section ofbore 70. Proximal to bore 72 manifold receiver housing 62 is formed witha third constant diameter bore, bore 76. Bore 76 has a diameter lessthan that of bore 72. Between bores 72 and 76 there is a smalltransition bore 74. Transition bored 74 has a diameter that tapersinwardly from bore 72 to bore 76. At the most proximal end, the manifoldreceiver housing 62 is formed to have a counter bore 78. Counterbore 78intersects and has a diameter greater than that of bore 76.

Manifold receiver housing 62 is further formed to have a notch 80. Notch80 is formed in rib 61 and extends rearwardly from the distal end of thehousing and is contiguous with the top of bore 68. Proximal to andcontiguous with notch 80, there is a proximally extending void space 82also defined by an interior surface of rib 61. Void space 82 intersectsand extends a slight distance above bores 70, 72, 74 and 76. Void space82 has a generally rectangular cross section profile. Manifold receiverhousing 62 is also formed with two opposed through windows 84 in thesides of housing (one seen in FIG. 6). Each window 84 opens into themiddle and proximal sections of bore 68, bore, 70, bore 72, bore 74,bore 76 and void space 82.

A bore 86 extends downwardly from bore 72 through the bottom of themanifold. Bore 86 is dimensioned to receive a fastener (not shown) usedto secure the manifold 46 to the associated canister cap 40 or 42. Insome versions of the invention, plural bores 86, each for receiving aseparate fastener, are formed in the manifold receiver housing 62. Itshould be appreciated that housing 62 is shaped so that windows 84 allowaccess to the bores 86 so that the associated fasteners can be insertedand removed.

Closed end bores 88 and 89 extend inwardly from, respectively thedistal, front, and proximal, rear, faces of the manifold receiverhousing 62. While only a single one of each bore 88 and 89 isillustrated, plural bores 88 and 89 are present. Each bore 88 receives afastener 92 used to hold the lock ring 66 to the manifold receiverhousing 62. Each bore 89 receives a fastener 94 that holds the manifoldreceiver housing 62 to the receiver adaptor 64

Receiver adaptor 64, best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a front endplate 96. Plate 96 is dimensioned to seat against the proximal end ofmanifold receiver housing 62 including the open ends of bore 76,counterbore 78 and void space 82. Not identified are the through boresin plate 96 in which fasteners 94 extend. While plate 96 covers most ofthe open distal end of receiver housing counterbore 78, the plate doesnot cover the whole of the counterbore. Instead, there, at the bottom ofthe proximal end of the manifold receiver housing 62 a small portion ofcounterbore 78 remains exposed.

Extending proximally from and integrally formed with plate 96 adapter 64has a bracket 98. Bracket 98 has a triangular profile such that theoverall width across the bracket increases from top to bottom along thelength of the plate 96. A tab 102 extends proximally rearwardly from thebase of the bracket 98. Tab 102 is formed with an opening 104. Opening104 receives a fastener (not illustrated) that secures the receiveradapter 64 to the canister cap 40 or 42.

Conduit 56, the conduit that provides a fluid communication path fromthe receiver housing 62 to the associated canister 36 or 38, is elbowshaped, so as to have a bend between 80 and 90°. The distal end ofconduit 56 opens into the exposed face of plate 96. From plate 96,conduit 56 extends through the lower portion of bracket 98. The proximalend of the conduit 56 extends axially through a boss 106 also part ofthe receiver adapter 64. Boss 106 extends below bracket 98. Whenmanifold receiver 44 is mounted to the associated canister cap 40 or 42,boss 106 seats in an opening 107 formed in the cap, (FIG. 8). An O-ring108 is seated in a groove 109 that extends circumferentially around theboss. When mobile unit 30 is assembled, O-ring 108 provides a sealbetween the canister cap and the inserted boss 106 of the manifoldreceiver 44.

Receiver adapter 64 is further formed so that plate 96 is in planeoffset from the vertical when tab 102 is on a horizontal axis and boss106 is vertically aligned. This is seen best in FIG. 5 wherein line 101represents the horizontal axis. Line 101 is shown to intersect the baseof boss 106. More particularly, the adapter 64 is formed so that frontend plate 96 is angled less than 90° towards the plane along which tab102 lies. Adapter 64 should further be constructed so that front endplate 96 is angled at least 45° from the horizontal. Thus, thelongitudinal axis of manifold receiver is angled from the horizontal sothat the proximal end is below the distal end. This angle is, at aminimum 2° and more often 4°. This angle is typically less than 45° fromthe horizontal.

Receiver adapter 64 is further formed so that, as best seen in FIG. 5A,an annular slot 110 is formed in the distally directed face of plate 96.Slot 110 is concentric with, surrounds and is spaced away from theopening in plate 96 into conduit 56. A seal 112 is disposed in slot 110for reasons apparent below.

Lock ring 66, now described by reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, isgenerally ring shaped. Thus, the lock ring 66 is shaped to have a centerlocated through opening 114. A number of bores 116 extend longitudinallythrough the ring. Bores 116 receive fasteners 92 used to hold the lockring 66 to the manifold receiver housing 62.

The lock ring 66 is further formed to define a pair of slots 118 and120. Slots 118 and 120 are contiguous with through opening 114 andextend radially outwardly from opening 114 to the proximal end of thelock ring 66. While slots 118 and 120 are diametrically opposed, theslots do not have the same arcuate profile. Slot 118 (FIG. 6) subtendsan arc that is greater than the arc subtended by slot 120 (FIG. 5). Bothof slots 118 and 120 extend the length of the lock ring 66. At theproximal end, lock ring 66 is further formed to have a pair of grooves122. Each groove is arcuately shaped and is formed in the inner portionof the lock ring that defines opening 114. Each groove 122 is alsocontiguous with one of slots 118 or 120. Grooves 122 are generallydiametrically opposed to each other. Owing to the abutment of theproximal end of the lock ring 66 against the distally directed face ofthe receiver housing 62, grooves 122 function as slots through whichtabs integral with the manifold 46 travel as is described below.

The distal end base of each groove 122 is defined by arcuate steppedinterior surfaces 123 and 124 internal to the lock ring 66. Surface 123extends outwardly from the adjacent surface that defines slot 118 or120. Surface 123 does not extend perpendicularly from the adjacent slot118 or 120. Instead, surface 123 is angled, so as to extend proximallytowards the adjacent receiver housing 62. Surface 124 extends fromsurface 123. Surface 124 is parallel to the adjacent proximal end faceof lock ring 66.

Manifold receiver 44 has two major moving components. A valve disk 132normally covers the opening into conduit 56 formed in the distallyreceiver adapter front end plate 96. A door 134 extends over the distalend opening into the manifold receiver housing 62 when a manifold is notattached.

Valve disk 132, seen best in FIG. 5, is a disk shaped member disposed inthe proximal end of the manifold receiver housing 62. More particularly,the valve disk 132 is seated in the cylindrical space defined bycounterbore 78. Collectively, the manifold receiver housing counterbore78 and the valve disk 132 are formed so that the valve disk can rotatein the counterbore.

Valve disk 132 is formed to have cylindrical boss 136 that extendsdistally forward into manifold receiver housing bore 76. A bore 138(shown in phantom) extends through both boss 136 and the portion of thevalve disk from which the boss extends. The valve disk 132 is formed sothat the boss is centered along an axis that is radially offset from thelongitudinal axis through the valve disk, the axis around which thevalve disk rotates. The valve disk 132 also is formed so as to have anotch 139. Notch 139 extends inwardly from the outer perimeter of thevalve disk. Relative the center axis of the valve disk 132, notch 139 islocated on the side of the disk opposite the side from which boss 136extends.

Thus, manifold receiver 44 is constructed so that, when the valve disk132 is in a specific rotational position within the manifold receiverhousing 62, the valve disk covers the receiver adapter front end plateopening into conduit 56. When valve disk 132 is in the above closedstate, the disk is further shaped so that notch 139 is located in thebase of receiver housing counterbore 78. Valve disk 132 is rotatable toalign bore 138 with the conduit opening

When the manifold receiver 44 is assembled, seal 112, best seen in FIG.5A, abuts the proximally directed face of valve disk 132. In one versionof the invention, seal 112 is a C- or U-shaped seal. A spring 113presses the opposed sides of the seal outwardly. Thus, one side of seal112 presses against the surface of the manifold receiver plate thatdefines the base of slot 110. The opposed side of seal 112 abuts theproximally directed face of valve disk 132. Seal 112 thus preventsmaterial flow into the interstitial gap between receiver adaptor plate96 and the valve disk 132.

The force generated by spring 113 also drives valve disk 132 against theproximally-directed inner surface of the receiver housing 62 thatdefines the base of counterbore 78. Thus, spring 113 blocks the freerotation of the valve disk. However, seal 112 and spring 113 areselected so that the anti-rotational force these components collectivelyplace on valve disk 132 can be overcome by application of manual force.

As seen in FIG. 7, door 134 has a cylindrical head 144. Diametricallyopposed ears 146 and 148 extend radially outwardly from head 144. Afirst ear, ear 146, extends a relatively long distance away from thecenter of the head. Ear 146 is formed to have a through hole 150.Through hole 150 extends through the top of an ear 146 along an axisthat is perpendicular to the center axis through the door head. Door 134is further formed so as to have a slot 152 on the proximally-directedface of the plate. Slot 152 extends from the outer perimeter of ear 146and along the width of the ear so as to intersect through hole 150. Slot152 is located along a line that is perpendicular to the axis alongwhich through hole 150 is centered. Slot 152, in addition to extendingthrough ear 146, extends partially into door head 144.

The door is further formed so that adjacent where the sides of ear 146extend outwardly; there are notches 152 in the head 144. Ear 148 extendsa shorter distance away from the center of door head 144 than ear 146.Ear 148 is a solid arcuate structure that extends a relatively shortdistance away from door head 134.

Door 144 is pivotally mounted to manifold receiver housing 62 as bestseen in FIG. 5. Specifically, door ear 146 is seated in notch 80. A pin154 that extends through the manifold receiver housing 62, and throughdoor hole 150, pivotally holds the door to the manifold housing. Atorsion spring 156 is disposed around the section of pin 154 that passesthrough door slot 152. One leg of the torsion spring bears against theinterior surface of the receiver housing rib 61 that defines the top ofvoid space 82. This leg remains static. The second leg of the torsionspring abuts the surface of the door that defines the base of slot 150.

Collectively, manifold receiver housing 62 and door 134 are dimensionedso that, when the manifold 46 is seated in the receiver housing, thedoor is disposed in void space 82. When the manifold 46 is withdrawnfrom the manifold receiver 44, there is sufficient clearance between theinterior surfaces of the receiver housing that define bores 68, 70 and72 and plate head 144 and ear 148 that the door pivots downwardly. Thesides of the door 134 pivot through windows 84. The manifold receiverhousing 62 and the door 134 are further formed so that, when the platepivots downwardly, the plate ear 148 abuts the inner, proximallydirected face of receiver housing lip 67.

FIG. 8 illustrates the portion of canister cap 42 to which the manifoldreceiver 44 is attached. Cap 42 includes an upwardly extending boss 155.Boss 155 defines the opening 177 in which receiver boss 106 and O-ring108 are seated. Posts 156 also extend upwardly from cap 42. Posts arethe support members over which the receiver housing 62 and receiveradaptor 64 are seated. Fasteners 145 hold the receiver housing 62 andreceiver adapter 64 to the posts 156.

Cap 42 has a dome-type profile wherein the perimeter of the cap is lowerthan the center. An arcuate web 147 extends upwardly from perimeter ofthe cap. Web 147 extends between the two outermost posts. Web 147 thusextends around boss 155. A small web 149 extends upwardly from the post156 from which web 149 extends that is spaced from boss 155.Collectively, the downwardly inclined surface of cap 42, webs 147 and149 and the posts 156 at either side of web 147 define a pocket 151 onthe top of the cap 42. Pocket 151 partially surrounds boss 155.

III. Manifold

FIGS. 9 and 10 provide a view of the basic components of manifold 46.There most proximal section of the manifold is an open ended shell 158.A cap 164 covers the open distal end of the shell 158. Collectively,shell 158 and cap 164 form the manifold housing. Internal to thishousing is a void space (not identified). Cap 164 is the manifoldcomponent from which fittings 48 extend. A filter basket 166 is disposedinside the manifold void space. Filter basket 166 prevents large bits ofsolid matter from flow downstream.

In more detail, it is understood that manifold shell 158 has a generallycylindrical shape. The shell 158 is formed to have a circular proximalend base 168 from which a tubular shaped side wall 159 upwardly extends.A lip 160 extends circumferentially around the open top end of side wall160. Lip 160 projects radially outwardly. Two fingers 161 and 162 extenddistally upward from the top of side wall 159. Each finger 161 and 162has an arcuate cross sectional profile. Fingers 161 and 162 are centeredon parallel longitudinal axis and are diametrically opposed to eachother. Finger 161 subtends a relatively large arc. Finger 162 subtends arelatively short arc.

An opening 170 is formed in the shell base 168. The opening isdimensioned to receive valve disk boss 136. The shell is formed so thatopening 170 is centered along an axis that is off center to thelongitudinal axis of the shell 158. A circular lip 172 extendsdownwardly from the shell base 168 around opening 170. Lip 172 is spacedradially away from the annular section of the shell base 168 thatdefines the outer perimeter of opening 170. In one versions of theinvention, manifold shell 158 is formed so that a small arcuate sectionof the lip is essentially flush with an adjacent section of the shellside wall 159.

A drip stop 174, now described by reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 is fittedin manifold opening 170. Drip stop 174 is formed from a compressiblematerial such as polyisoprene rubber. The drip stop 174 has a ringshaped base 176. Base 176 is formed so as to have around its outerperimeter a slot 178. When manifold 46 is assembled, the drip stop 174seats in opening 170 so the perimeter section of base 168 that definesthe opening seats in slot 178. The section of the stop base 176 belowthe slot defining section seats inside the enclosed space defined byshell lip 172.

Drip stop base 176 is further shaped so that, extending forward from theproximal end, the drip stop has first, second and third inwardly taperedannular surfaces 180, 182 and 184, respectively. Relative to thelongitudinal axis extending through the drip stop 174, surface 180 has ataper greater than that of surface 182, surface 182 has a taper greaterthan that of surface 184. In terms of overall length, surface 180extends a longer distance along the length of the valve base thanlengths of surfaces 182 and 184 combined. Immediately above the top mosttapered surface, surface 184, valve base 176 is shaped to have aconstant diameter inner surface 186. Surface extends across and abovethe portion of the valve base 186 in which slot 178 is formed.

The diameter of inner surface 186 is greater than the outer diameter ofvalve boss 136 by approximately 0.5 and 1.0 mm. Collectively therelatively wide diameters of drip stop inner surfaces 180-186 relativeto the valve boss allow the base of the drip stop to function as a leadin for the valve boss 136. This lead in corrects for minor misalignmentof the valve disk 132.

Drip stop 174 has a head 188 with a concavo-convex profile that isintegral with and projects distally forward from base 176. Drip stophead 188 consists of two lips 187. Normally, lips 187 abut so as todefine a slot 190 therebetween. Slot 190 extends along a twodiametrically opposed radial lines. The slot 190 does not extend acrossthe whole of the width of the valve head 188. In order for the drip stopto perform a sealing function when seated over the valve boss, slot 190has a length less than the outer diameter of the valve boss. The normalabutment of the opposed lips 187 of drip stop head 188 blocks flow outof manifold opening 170.

The filter basket 166, now explained by reference to FIGS. 10 and 13.The filter basket 166 is shaped to have a cylindrical trunk 194.Specifically, the trunk 194, at its proximal end base, has a ring 196.Extending upwardly from the inner surface of the ring 196 are a numberor arcuately spaced apart ribs 198. Ribs 198 are spaced apart from eachother so as to be separated by a maximum distance of 10 mm or less and,more preferably, 5 mm or less. Thus, large sized bits of solid matter inthe waste stream are blocked from downstream flow by the filter basket166. Filter basket 166, it is further understood is shaped so that ribs198 are spaced at least 1 mm apart. This prevents small bits of solidand semi-solid waste from being trapped by the basket 166 and cloggingthe manifold 46.

Above trunk 194, filter basket 166 has an inwardly tapered neck 202.Neck 202 generally has the shape of a slice section through a cone. Atthe base of the neck there is a circular, inwardly tapered web 203. Web203 is the structural component to which the distal ends of the ribs 198extend. A set of arcuately spaced apart ribs 204 extend upwardly andinwardly from web 203. Ribs 204 terminate at a disk shaped member thatforms the filter basket head 206.

A pair of diametrically opposed arms 208 extend outwardly from opposedsides of the filter basket neck 202. Each arm 208 is a generally planarstructure. The arms are in a common plane that intersects thelongitudinal axis of the filter basket 166. The top surfaces of the arms208 are coplanar with filter basket head 206. A hand 210 is located atthe free end of each arm. Each hand 210 is generally oriented so as tobe perpendicular to the associated arm 208. Each hand 210 has an outersurface (not identified) that has an arcuate profile. Reinforcing webs211 at the top bottom of each hand 210 further connect each hand to theassociated arm 208.

Two elongated, parallel ears 212 extend distally forward from the top ofthe filter basket head 206. Each ear 214 is generally in the form of apost with a rectangularly shaped cross sectional profile. Each ear 212is further shaped to have a tip 214 that projects a short distanceoutwardly towards an adjacent arm 208. For reasons that are apparentbelow, it should be understood that the ears have a slight degree offlexibility relative to the rest of the filter basket 166.

The manifold cap 164, now described by reference to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16,is formed from a single piece of polypropylene or similar plastic. Themanifold cap 164 is shaped to have a cylindrical tube-shaped skirt 220.At the proximal end base of the skirt 220, two tabs 222 and 224 projectradially outwardly. Tabs 222 and 224 are diametrically opposed from eachother. The tabs 222 and 224 do, however, subtend different arcs. Tab 222subtends a relatively large arc; this tab is designed to slip fit intomanifold receiver lock ring slot 118. Tab 224 subtends a shorter arc;this tab is designed to slip fit into manifold receiver lock ring slot120.

Cap skirt 220 is further formed to have a rim 217 that defines theproximal end opening of the skirt that is inwardly tapered. Above rim217, the skirt 220 has an outwardly directed step 218 that extendscircumferential around the interior of the skirt. Cap 164 is dimensionedso that the inner diameter of skirt 220 above step 218 is less than theouter diameter of shell lip 160 by approximately 0.5 mm. Thus, when themanifold 46 is assembled, the shell is inserted into cap 164 so that thelip seats on skirt step 218. The compression of the inner surface of thecap skirt 220 around the cap lip 160 substantially eliminates loss ofsuction between the cap and the skirt.

A number of ribs extend inwardly from the inner surface of the manifoldcap skirt 220. These ribs, it is understood start at positions locatedabove step 218. There is a pair of adjacent ribs 226 and a pair ofadjacent ribs 228. The line around which ribs 226 are centered isdiametrically opposed to the centerline around which ribs 228 arecentered. Relative to ribs 226, ribs 228 are arcuately spaced apart fromeach other a relatively short distance. More particularly, ribs 226 arespaced apart a sufficient distance from each other so that shell finger161 can be slip fitted therebetween. Ribs 228 are spaced apart from asufficient distance so that finger 162, not finger 161, can be slipfitted therebetween. Shell fingers 161 and 162 and cap rib pairs 226 and228 thus facilitate the proper alignment of the manifold shell 158 andcap 164 when these components are assembled together.

Manifold cap skirt 220 also has two pairs of ribs 230 (one pair seen inFIG. 14). Each pair of ribs 230 are arcuately spaced apart a sufficientdistance from each other so that one of the filter basket hands 210 canbe slip fitted therebetween.

A disk shaped head 234 extends over the top end of manifold cap skirt220. Head 234 is formed so as to have a center-located through hole 236.Through hole 236 is rectangularly shaped. Cap 164 is further formed soas to have a rectangular post 238 that extends upwardly from the head234. Post 238 is centered around through hole 236 and is hollow so as toallow access to the through hole.

Fittings 48 extend upwardly from head 234. Each fitting 48 is in theform of a hollow tube. Ports 237 in the cap head 234 provide fluidcommunication openings between each fitting and the interior void spaceof the manifold 46. A circular rib 239 projects downwardly from theinner face of the cap head and extends around each port 237. As seen inFIG. 16, each rib 239 is shaped to have an outer surface 240 that curvesoutwardly away from the adjacent proximally directed face of cap head234. Outer surface 240 transitions to a constant height inner surface241. Rib inner surface defines the perimeter of the associated port 237.

A fence 245, seen best in FIGS. 2 and 9, extends upwardly from cap head234. The fence 245 is in four separate sections (sections notidentified). Each fence section extends between two adjacent fittings48. The fence 245 is located a short distance inwardly from the outerperimeter of cap head 234. Fence 245 functions as the manifold member anindividual can hold on to in order to insert, rotate and remove themanifold in the below procedures.

In the illustrated version of the invention, two adjacent fittings 48are of short length. The remaining two fittings 48, which are adjacenteach other, are longer. Fittings 48 are so sized to reduce the effortrequired to fit a suction line 50 to each fitting.

A removable cap 246 is provided for each fitting 48. Each fitting cap246 is integrally attached to the manifold cap by a tether 247. Thefitting caps 246 and tethers 247 are part of the same plastic piece partfrom which the rest of the manifold cap 164 is formed.

Manifold 46 of this invention also has a flapper valve unit 248, nowdescribed by reference to FIGS. 10, 17 and 18. Flapper valve unit 248 isformed from a single piece of compressible, flexible material such aspolyisoprene or other elastomeric material. Flapper valve unit 248 has adisk shaped hub 250. Hub 250 is formed with a center through hole 252.Hole 252 is dimensioned to receive filter basket ears 212. The flapperunit hub 250 also has a number of annular ribs 254 and 256. One rib 254extends outwardly from the opposed distally and proximally directedfaces of hub 250. One rib 256 also extends outwardly from each of theopposed faces of hub 250. Ribs 254 are located proximal to hub throughhole 252. Ribs 256 surround ribs 254. Each rib 254 and 256 has aninwardly angled cross sectional profile. Thus, each rib 254 and 256extends outwardly from the hub face and is angled so as to be directedto the longitudinal axis through hub hole 252.

Flapper valves 262 are pivotally connected to and extend from hub 250.Each flapper valve 262 covers a separate one of the fitting ports 237. Ahinge 260, also an integral part of the flapper valve unit 248,pivotally connects each flapper valve 262 to the hub 250. Hinges 260 areformed out of sections of the material from which the valve is formedhave a thinner cross sectional thickness than the adjacent hub 250 andflapper valve 262.

Each flapper valve 262 is generally disk shaped. Each flapper valve 262is dimensioned to cover both the associated port 237 and to abut overthe rib 239 that surrounds the port. Generally each flapper valve 262has a diameter that is approximately 4 mm greater than the innerdiameter of the associated port-defining rib 239

As discussed below, when manifold 46 is assembled, flapper valve unithub 250 is compressed between the manifold cap 164 and filter basket166. This compression causes slight outward expansion of the hub 250.Thus, when designing the flapper valve unit 248, care must be taken toensure that, when the hub is in the expanded state, the flapper valves262 still seat over the complementary cap ribs 239. Further, when inthis expanded state the flapper valves 262 should not be in contact withthe inner surface of the cap skirt 220. Such contact could inhibit theability of the valves to rapidly open and close.

Also, design of the components forming manifold 46 should be such that,when assembled, the flapper valves 262 are slightly spaced above or onlylightly contact the adjoining ribs 239. If, upon manifold assembly,flapper valves 262 press relatively tightly against the ribs 239, thevalves may be in a static state wherein they are already pivotedslightly open. If a flapper valve 262 is in this state, the valvesability to block reverse flow out of the manifold 46, through theassociated fitting 48, is reduced.

Manifold 46 is assembled by first fitting the valve unit 248 over filterbasket ears 212. Owing to the complementary rectangular profiles of theears 212 and the hub through hole 252 in which they are seated, filtervalve unit 248 is blocked from rotating. Filter basket 166 is then snapfitted to cap 166. This is accomplished by pressing the filter basketears 212 through cap hole 236 and the hollow of post 238. Upon emergingfrom post 238, ear tips 214 project beyond the top edges of the wallsdefining the post so as to lock the filter basket 166 to the cap 164.

As a consequence of the securement of filter basket 166 to cap 164,flapper valve unit hub 250 is compressed between these components. Ribs254 and 256 function as seals that prevent loss of vacuum throughmanifold cap hole 236. Since two ribs, seals, are present on each sideof the flapper valve unit 248, only minimal compressive pressure needsto be present between the ribs 254 and 256 and the adjacent staticsurfaces in order to affect the desired fluid-tight barrier. This forceis less than force required to compress the solid body of the seal hub250. Thus it should be appreciated filter basket ears 212 and cap post238 are collectively dimensioned so that, upon assembly of the manifold,ribs 254 and 256 are compressed, but not over compressed between the capand filter basket.

Moreover, as discussed above, ribs 254 and 256 are inwardly directed.Consequently, when a vacuum is drawn, the ambient atmosphere is presentthrough cap through hole 236 around the base of filter basket ears 212.This air forms a pressure head around the inner surfaces of ribs 254 and256. This pressure head urges the inwardly directed ribs 254 and 256outwardly. The ribs 254 and 256 are thus flexed against the adjacentstatic surface; either the distally directed face of filter basket head206 or the proximally directed face of cap head 234. This abutment ofthe ribs 254 and 256 against these adjacent surfaces increases theintegrity of the fluid barrier formed by these ribs.

Further, the square ears 212-in-square hole 252 prevents the filter unitfrom rotating during the assembly process. This ensures that, uponassembly, each flapper valve 262 is disposed under a separate portdefining rib 239.

Also, manifold 46 is constructed so that the outer diameter of filterbasket lip 196 is less than the inner diameter of manifold shell sidewall 159. The difference in these two dimensions is equal to or lessthan the width of the gap defined by filter basket ribs 198.Consequently, upon assembly of manifold 46, there is a small gap betweenthe inner surface of side wall 159 and filter basket lip 196. This gapfunctions as a flow through path through which liquid and small bits ofmatter that will not clog the downline components can pass through themanifold.

IV. Operation

Prior to use, before the manifold 46 is fitted to the mobile unit 30,manifold receiver 44 is in the state as depicted in FIG. 5.Specifically, valve disk 132 is in the index position so that the bodyof the valve disk is closed over the opening in plate 96 to receiveradapter conduit 56. Spring 156 holds door 144 closed. Collectively, door144 and spring 156 inhibit curious fingers from entering the manifoldreceiver housing 62.

Mobile unit 30 is prepared for use by fitting the manifold 46 to thecomplementary receiver 46 associated with the canister 36 or 38 in whichthe waste drawn from the surgical site is to be collected. This step isperformed by inserting the manifold 46 into the receiver so thatmanifold shell base 168 is directed to the valve disk 132. For mobileunit 30 to function, valve disk boss 136 must seat in shell opening 170.Lock ring slots 118 and 120 and manifold tabs 224 and 226 cooperate toensure this alignment of the manifold 46 to the valve disk 132.Specifically, these components are positioned so positioning of manifoldtab 224 in receiver slot 118 results in the manifold 46 beingrotationally positioned so that shell opening 170 is aligned with valvedisk boss 136. After the manifold is so positioned, continued insertionof manifold 46 into the receiver housing 62 results in shell basefitting over the valve disk boss 136.

Once the manifold 46 is fitted against valve disk 132, the manifold isrotated. The direction of rotation is dictated by the fact that manifoldtabs 224 and 226 can only rotate into lock ring slots 122. As aconsequence of the rotation of the manifold, the valve disk boss 136and, by extension, the whole of the valve disk 132, undergoes a likerotation. This rotation places valve bore 138 in registration with thereceiver adaptor distal end opening into conduit 58. Also, as result ofthe rotation of the manifold 46 and the valve disk 132, the manifold ispositioned so that manifold opening 170 is, in a rotational position, atthe bottom of the manifold.

Thus, manifold opening 170 functions as a keyhole for receiving valvedisk boss 136. Valve disk boss 136 functions as a drive member thatrotates the valve disk 132 to the open state.

The rotation of the manifold 46 results in more than a like rotation ofvalve disk 132. From the above discussion, it should be clear that whenthe manifold is seated in the receiver housing, valve lips 187 initiallyextend over valve boss 136. This initial abutment of the manifold dripstop 174 against the valve disk boss 136 blocks further movement of theboss through the drip stop. However, as the manifold 46 is rotated,surfaces 123 internal to the lock ring 66 function as cam surfacesagainst which manifold tabs 222 and 224 abut. These surfaces 123 aredirected proximally rearward. Therefore, as the manifold turns, theabutment of the tabs 222 and 224 against the proximally directedsurfaces 123 results in the manifold being driven in the like proximaldirection. This action results in sufficient force being generated toovercome the elastomeric forces holding drip stop lips 187 in the closedposition. Manifold 46 is thus pushed down over the valve boss 136.

At the end of this process, drip stop base 176 is thus disposed over thebase of valve boss 136. Valve lips 187 press against the outercircumference of valve disk boss 136. Collectively the drip stop base176 and lips 187 form a fluid tight barrier between the boss 136 and thesurrounding section of manifold shell base 168 that defines opening 170.The distal end of the boss 136 extends through valve head slot 190. Thedistal end of boss 136, the end that defines the opening into bore 138,is disposed in the bottom of the manifold shell 158.

The process of preparing the mobile unit 30 for use is completed by thecoupling of a suction applicator 52 to the unit by a suction line 50.The manifold fitting 48 to which the suction line 50 is to be attachedis uncapped and the suction line connected thereto.

Mobile unit 30 is actuated by activating the suction pump 58. Activationof suction pump 58 results in a waste stream being drawn from thesurgical site being drawn into the applicator 52, through the suctionline 50 and into the manifold 46. This waste stream includes liquid andsolid waste to which the suction applicator 52 is applied as well as airadjacent the applicator 52. In the manifold, solid waste entrained inthe waste stream having a width greater than the gaps between filterbasket ribs 198 is trapped by the filter basket 166 or between shellwall 159 and basket lip 196. The suction force draws the components ofthe waste stream that flows past the filter basket 166 into the openproximal end of bore 138 integral with valve disk 132. Boss 136 servesas the fitting through which the waste stream flows from the manifold 46into conduit 58. The barrier formed by the drip stop between themanifold 46 and valve boss 136 prevents loss of vacuum between thesecomponents.

From valve disk bore 138 the waste stream flows through the receiveradapter conduit 58 into the associated canister 36 or 38. Liquid andsolid components of the waste stream that enter the canister 36 or 38precipitate out of the stream and are held in the canister 36 and 38 forfinal disposal.

The fluid stream that travels from the canister 36 or 38 is thusessentially liquid and solid free. Prior to final exhaust of this streamfrom the suction pump 58, this fluid stream is filtered to remove odorcausing components and/or bacterial and viral sized particulates thatmay be entrained in this fluid stream.

Once the medical/surgical procedure is completed, and use of the mobileunit 30 is no longer required, manifold 46 is removed. The seating ofmanifold tabs 222 and 224 in the lock ring slots 122 prevent themanifold 46 from just being pulled out of the receiver 44. Instead, itis necessary to first rotate the manifold 46 so that tabs 222 and 224align in slots 118 and 120, respectively. As a consequence of having toso rotate the manifold 46, the valve disk 132 undergoes a like rotation.The rotation of the valve disk 132 reorients the disk so the disk againcovers the open end of the receiver adapter conduit 58.

Once manifold 46 is properly positioned, the manifold is manuallywithdrawn from the receiver 44. Once valve head 188 passes over thedistal end of the valve disk boss 132, the opposed sections of the headthat define slot 190 come together so as reclose opening 170. Theclosing of the opening 170 substantially eliminates leakage of wastematerial remaining in the manifold.

Post use, the mobile unit 30 is coupled to a docker (not illustrated andnot part of this invention.) Waste material in the canister 36 or 38 isflowed through the docker to a treatment facility. The manifold isdisposed of as medical waste.

As described above, valve disk 132 normally closes the opening intoconduit 58 that leads to the associated canister. To use system 30, drawa suction through the manifold and upstream components, the manifoldmust first be properly aligned in order force the appropriatedisplacement of the valve disk. Then, as a consequence of the removal ofthe manifold 46, valve disk 132 is returned to its closed stated. Thusone benefit of the system of this invention is that the flow path intothe canister is normally closed. Only when a manifold attached is theopening open. Then, as result of the process of rotating the manifold 46to remove it from the receiver, the valve disk 132 closes this opening.This arrangement blocks the release of gases displeasing to the nosethrough the manifold receiver 44.

The closure of valve disk 132 does more than prevent the release ofnoxious gases. Mobile unit 30 has plural canisters 36 and 38. Whensuction pump 58 is actuated, the suction may be drawn on both canisters.The automatic closure of valve disk 132 when a manifold is not presentprevents suction loss through the empty manifold receiver 44.

The manifold receiver 44 and manifold 46 of this invention are furtherdesigned so that when the manifold seats over the valve boss 136, theopposed lip 187 of the valve head 188 press against the outer surface ofthe boss. Owing to the camming action of the manifold tabs 222 and 224against the receiver 66, this displacement is a result of theapplication of the rotational “twisting” of the manifold in position.The physical effort one needs to exert when so rotating the manifold forboth insertion and removal does not impose an appreciable strain on thearm or hand of the inserter. Also, valve base 176 presses against thevalve boss. There is essentially no air flow around these seal-formingcomponents. The absence of this air flow means these components do notengage in a vibrational movement that results in the generation ofnoise.

Further, in preferred versions of the invention, the cross sectionalarea of the valve disk bore 138 is at least equal to the cumulativecross sectional areas of manifold cap ports 237. Thus, as the wastestream flows through the manifold 46, the gaseous components of thisstream do not engage in noise-generating compression. Further since thegas flow is not compressed, the flow of the fluid into bore 138 does notresult in drop in flow rate.

Mobile unit 30 and manifold 46 of this invention are furthercollectively designed to substantially eliminate leakage of collectedwaste. Drip stop 174 does more than prevent leakage of waste in themanifold after removal. As the manifold 46 is removed the receiver 44,drip stop lips 187 press against the distal end of the valve boss insidethe manifold. Thus, upon removal of the manifold, valve lips 187 wipeadhered waste of the valve boss 136.

The geometry and orientation of the manifold receiver 44 also reduce theleakage of waste from both the mobile unit 30 and the manifold 46. Asmentioned above, the receiver adapter 64 is designed so that plate 96 isangularly offset from the vertical. Consequently, receiver housing 62 isangled from the horizontal. By extension, when the manifold 46 is seatedin the receiver housing 62, the manifold is similarly offset from thehorizontal. More specifically, the shell base 168 is below the manifoldcap 164. This means that when the manifold 46 is in the run position,shell opening 170 is located at the lowest elevation of the manifold.This feature ensures that substantially all waste material drawn intothe manifold flows out through the valve disk bore 138 and adapterconduit 58 into the canister 36 or 38.

Then, when the manifold 46 is rotated for removal from receiver 44, theside of the base defining opening is rotated upwardly. Waste materialstill in the manifold flows towards the opposite side of the void spaceinternal to the manifold 46. Thus, upon removal of the manifold from thereceiver 44, waste still in the manifold is away from opening 170. Thisreduced the instances of this waste leaking from the opening.

Also, when the removal of the manifold 46 results in valve disk 132being rotated back to the closed state, notch 139 is located in thebottom rotational position. Owing to the inclined orientation of themanifold receiver housing 62, liquid in left in the housing will flowtowards the valve disk 132. When this liquid reaches the valve disk, itflows out of the receiver 44 through notch 139. This liquid is containedin the pocket 151 formed on the top of the canister cap 40 or 42. Thus,manifold receiver 44 and manifold 46 of this invention are furtherdesigned to minimize the accumulation of uncontained waste on the mobileunit 30.

The above angled orientation of the manifold receiver 44 also ensuresthat, when the mobile unit 30 is in operation, the proximal end basemanifold outlet opening 170 is, in a gravity orientation, below inletports 237. This makes it unlikely that waste in the manifold can flowupstream, through ports 237, and out the manifold 46.

Flapper valve unit 248 also stops the leakage of waste from the manifold46. The individual flapper valves 262 normally cover the cap ports 237.When suction pump 58 is actuated, and a fitting cap 246 is removed, thesuction drawn by the pump is sufficient to generate a pressure head thatflexes the flapper valve 262 of the associated fitting 48 open. Thewaste stream is thus able to flow into the manifold. When the pump isdeactivated, hinge 260 has sufficient resilient force to return theflapper valve against the adjacent rib 239 integral with the manifoldcap 164. Upon removal of the manifold from the receiver 44, the flow ofwaste through the ports 2239 is thus blocked by the flapper valves 262.Further, should manifold 46 be inverted, waste in the manifold movesagainst these faces of the flapper valve. The mass of this waste thusbecomes an added force that holds the flapper valves closed.

Moreover, should a manifold with waste be inverted, the waste pressesthe flapper valves against the crowns of the adjacent ribs. Owing to thesmall area of this interface, the force per unit area is relativelyhigh. This focused force therefore enhances the sealing effect of theflapper valves.

Also, as discussed above, the flapper valve unit hub 250 also forms aseal around the filter basket ears 212. This simplifies the manufactureof the manifold 46. Still another feature that simplifies themanufacture of manifold 46 is that both the shell 158 and cap 164 areformed from plastic. These components are further dimensioned so that,when mated together the cap skirt 220 presses against shell lip 160. Thecompression of these two components against each other forms asubstantially fluid tight barrier between these components. Thus, theneed to provide an O-ring or other sealing element between the shell 158and the cap 164 is eliminated.

Mobile unit 30 and manifold 46 are further designed so that if, uponmanifold insertion the manifold is slightly out of alignment with thevalve boss 136, the valve boss strikes the proximally extending manifoldlip 172. Further insertion of the manifold is blocked. Since the bossstrikes the lip 172, the likelihood that the boss could inadvertentlypush the drip stop 174 out of opening 174 is substantially eliminated.

It should likewise be recognized that in preferred versions of theinvention, the plastic from which the manifold shell 158 and cap 164 areformed is at least partially transparent. This provides medicalpersonnel with a quick means to verify that the a manifold being fittedto the mobile unit 30 is not a used manifold that contains previouslycollected waste.

Further it should be understood that the axes around which the flappervalves 262 pivot are spaced from the associated cap ports 237. Thus, theminimal pivoting of a flapper valve 262 due to the action of a pressurehead acting against the valve results in the immediate establishment ofa wide area opening between the manifold cap 164 and the flapper valve262. Consequently, once the flapper valve is so opened, large amountscan flow essentially unimpeded into the center of the manifold 46.

The narrow gaps between filter basket ribs 198 and 204 block largesolids from flowing downstream into the associated canister 36 or 38.Thus, flow of these solid further into the mobile unit 30 where the canpossibly adversely affect downline components of the mobile unit ordocker not relevant to this invention is prevented. Further, the gapsbetween ribs 198 and 204 have lengths at least three times (×3) and moreoften at least five times (×5) their widths. The surface area of thegap-defining filter structure, trunk 194 and neck 202 is, greater thanthe lateral cross sectional area of the void space internal to themanifold shell 158. In some preferred versions of the invention, thecross sectional area of the filter structure is at least two times (×2)the cross sectional area of the inside of the manifold in which thisstructure is seated. This feature of the invention further enhances thepass through area of the filter basket 166. The gap between the shellwall 159 and filter basket lip 196 serves as another path through whichliquid and small bits of solid waste can flow through the manifold. Thisfurther increases the pass through area internal to the manifold 46.

Collectively the large surface area of the filter structure, therelatively long lengths of the individual gaps of the filter structureand the filter sub-assembly formed by the manifold shell and filterbasket lip mean that should sections of some of the gaps clog withsolids, a significant fraction of the gaps will remain solid free. Thus,the trapping of solids by the filter basket 166 should not, in manycircumstances, appreciably slow the downstream flow of liquids and finesolids through the manifold 46.

From the above description it should be recognized that only a smallfraction of the liquid and semisolid waste drawn into mobile unit 30 ofthis invention is trapped in the manifold 46. Most of the waste flowsinto the canister 36 or 38. Thus, medical/surgical personnel thatoccasionally glance at the canister to obtain a rough estimate of thevolume of waste drawn from the surgical site will see substantially allthe waste so removed. The absence of the small fraction of waste trappedin the manifold does not significantly detract from this accuracy ofthis estimate.

V. Alternative Embodiments

It should be appreciated that the foregoing is directed to one specificversion of the waste collection system of this invention. Other versionsof the invention may have features different from what has beendescribed. Thus, there is no requirement that each of the abovedescribed features be incorporated in all versions of the invention.

For example, the fact that the actual collection unit 30 is a mobileunit is understood to only be exemplary. In an alternative version ofthe invention, the waste collection unit is a static unit. The unit mayeven consist of a receiver connected to a static unit that only has apump. In this version of the invention, the receiver also connected to awaste collection system (waste plumbing) internal to the hospital; thepump draws the waste into this collection system.

Similarly, there is no requirement that the receiver 44 have a notch orother conduit that allows any uncollected waste to flow out of thereceiver.

Further in some versions of the invention, the receiver 44 may bemounted in the canister or other container used to store the collectedwaste. In these versions of the invention, the valve plate or othervalve assembly used to control flow from the receiver, may open directlyinto the storage space.

Likewise the individual features of this waste collection system mayhave structures different from what have been described. There is norequirement that in all versions of the invention the manifold openingthrough which the waste is flowed to the rest of the system alsofunction as the drive member integral with the manifold that receives afeature for actuating the valve integral with the receiver. Similarly,there is no requirement that valve component through which the waste isflowed also serve as the component that is actuated by the manifold.

Thus, in one alternative versions of the invention, the valve elementmay have an actuating pin. In this version of the invention, themanifold has a keyhole for receiving the pin. This keyhole may be anexternal slot or a closed end bore. As the manifold is inserted in thereceiver, the pin seats against the manifold surfaces defining theslot/bore. Further displacement of the manifold results in the likedisplacement of the pin and, by extension, the opening and/or closing ofthe manifold.

In the alternative versions of the invention, the valve integral withthe receiver may not be a disk. The valve may be a plate that moves inan arcuate or linear path to open/close the conduit to the downstreamcomponents of the system. The valve may not be a planar member. Thus,the valve may be a ball type member that rotates between open and closedpositions. In some versions of the invention, a biasing member isprovided that normally holds the valve in the closed state. In theseversions of the invention, the displacement of the valve drive member bythe manifold overcomes the biasing force and displaces the valve intothe open state. When the manifold is removed, the biasing member returnsthe valve to the closed state.

Furthermore, in some versions of the invention, the drive memberintegral with the manifold that couples to the receiver valve may not bea void-defining feature. In some versions of the invention, the manifoldmay be formed with a tab or a post. The receiver valve has a drivemember with a keyhole or void for receiving the manifold feature. Whenthe manifold is seated in the receiver, the tab/post seats in thekeyhole. Further displacement of the manifold results in the actuationof the valve drive member and the resultant opening or closing of thevalve.

Likewise, in some versions of the invention the valve has an actuatingmember separate from the valve itself. This actuating member, upondisplacement by the manifold insertion/removal, moves the valve betweenthe open/closed states. Thus, if the valve has a ball- orcylindrically-shaped head, the actuating member may be a drive linkthat, when longitudinally displaced rotates the valve head.

It should thus be appreciated that, in these alternative versions of theinvention, the linear insertion/removal of the manifold may source ofthe force that causes the opening/closing of the complementary manifoldreceiver valve.

Also it may be desirable to provide a releasable latch mechanism forholding the valve in a particular state. Thus with the disclosed valvedisk 136 it may be desirable to provide spring biased ball-in-detent toprevent unintended rotation of the valve disk. In some versions of theinvention the ball is mounted to and rotated with the valve disk. Inthese versions of the invention receiver adaptor face plate 96 is formedwith at least one detent for capturing the ball. This assembly keeps thevalve disk from rotating from the closed state. Also by preventingrotation of the valve disk 136, the likelihood that the valve boss 136will not be aligned to seat in manifold opening 170 is essentiallyeliminated. Alternatively, the ball and spring are mounted in a borethat opens inwardly from the receiver adaptor face plate 96. The valvedisk is formed with an appropriate detent for receiving the valve.

The manifold may be provided with a drip stop different from what hasbeen disclosed. Thus, the drip stop that selectively blocks flow out ofthe opening into the mobile unit may be formed with one or three or morelips, flaps or other members that are selectively displaced toopen/close the drip stop. One such valve is a duck-billed valve.

In some versions of the invention, the flow-blocking components of thedrip stop may not be abutting flaps. A flapper valve that may or may notbe spring biased can perform this function. A normally closed umbrellatype valve may function as the drip reducing member of the drip stop. Inthis version of the invention, the valve boss abuts and displaces avalve stem so to force the valve into the open state. A normally-closedspring biased poppet valve may also be used to prevent drip release. Inthese versions of the invention, as well as the above described versionwherein opposed flaps form the valve, the valve is opened as a result ofa mechanical force placed on the valve by the receiver. The valve thenautomatically closes upon the removal of the force imposingvalve-associated member.

It should be appreciated that in some alternative drip stops of theinvention, the valve component of the drip stop may not further functionas the component that prevents leakage around the valve boss. In theseversions of the invention, there is separate drip stop component thatforms a barrier between the valve boss and the adjacent outletopening-defining section of the manifold. A grommet may perform thisfunction.

Assemblies other than the disclosed flapper valve unit may be used toprevent fluid flow from the manifold 46 out of fittings 48. Some flappervalves, for example, have a reinforcing member such as domes or ribsdisposed on their backsides. These reinforcing members prevent valvecollapse in the presence of high back pressures. Duck billed valvesmounted in the fittings 48 may perform this check valve function. Theseinclude duck bill valves with three or more lips. Again, umbrellavalves, poppet valves, spring loaded valve may be fitted to the manifoldto reduce the likelihood of leakage through the fittings 48.

Features other than tabs may be integral with the manifold to ensurethat the manifold when inserted into the receiver, manifold opening 170is aligned with the valve disk boss 136 and bore 138. Thus, in analternative version of the invention, the manifold is formed with one ormore slots or other void spaces along the outer surface thereof. Theseslots receive alignment pins integral with the manifold receiver. Inthese versions of the invention, the surfaces of the manifold thatdefine these slots may also function as cam surfaces. Thus, as themanifold is inserted in the receiver, the manifold is urged off thesestatic alignment pins further into the receiver.

Likewise, in an alternative versions of the invention, the cammingsurfaces that, upon manifold rotation, urge the manifold proximallyrearward may not be on the manifold receiver. In some versions of theinvention, the alignment tabs, grooves or notches integral with themanifold may have angled or tapered profiles. As the manifold isrotated, the abutment of these surfaces against fixed surfaces integralwith the receiver, result in the manifold being moved proximally.Further, in some versions of the invention, there is only a singlecamming surface integral with the receiver and/or manifold.

Also, in some versions of the invention, the manifold may be providedwith a data carrier and the complementary receiver has a device capableof reading the store data. Such a manifold is disclosed in theApplicants' Assignee's U.S. Patent App. No. 60/780,474, SURGICAL WASTECOLLECTION SYSTEM WITH FLUID STREAM PRE-FILTER, filed 8 Mar. 2006, now______, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Asdescribed in the incorporated-by-reference application, the data carrierstores data used to regulate operation of the unit to which the manifoldwith which the data carrier is integral is attached. These data include:manifold use history; vacuum level; and expiration data. The receiverdata reader forwards these data to a processor that regulates actuationof the waste collection unit. Based on these data, the processor:determines whether or not the attached manifold can be used; andregulates the operation of the suction pump.

Further there is no requirement that in all versions of the invention,the filter basket be suspended from the top of the manifold. In someversions of the invention, the filter basket may be suspended from apost that extends upwardly from the bottom of the manifold.Alternatively, the filter basket may be snap fitted into the side wallof the manifold.

Similarly, in some versions of the manifold, it may not be necessary toprovide a filter such as the described filter basket. Also, somemanifolds of this invention may only be provided with a single fitting48. An advantage of this structure is that, when only a single suctionline 50 is attached to system 30, one does not have to be concerned withthe question of whether or not unused fittings are capped.

Also, alternative versions of the manifold may include an O-ring orother compressible member between the shell 158 and cap 164. This memberserves as seal between these two components so as to minimize, if noteliminate, the loss of vacuum.

Further, there is no requirement that the manifold shell fingers 161 and162 used to align the shell with the cap 164 always be 180° apart fromeach other. In other versions of the invention, fingers 161 and 162 maybe spaced closer together. Thus the complementary pairs of ribs 226 and228 would likewise be positioned on the cap skirt 220 to be closertogether so as to receive, respectively fingers 161 and 162.

Therefore, it is an object of the appended claims to cover all suchvariations and modifications that come within the true spirit and scopeof this invention:

1. A medical/surgical waste collection assembly, said assemblyincluding: a waste collection unit including: a container for holdingmedical/surgical waste; a vacuum regulator connected between a suctionsource and said container, said vacuum regulator configured toselectively apply suction from the suction source to said container toregulate the level of suction the suction source draws on saidcontainer; a manifold receiver, said manifold receiver having: a borewith an open distal end; a base that forms an at least partially closedproximal end of the bore; a longitudinal axis that extends between thedistal and proximal ends of the bore; and a conduit that extends from anopening in said base into said container so that suction drawn on saidcontainer is drawn on the conduit; and a valve plate disposed in saidmanifold receiver bore adjacent the manifold receiver base so as toextend over the conduit opening, said valve plate movably mounted tosaid manifold receiver so as to move in a plane parallel to the baseopening, said valve plate having a closed position in which said valveplate covers the base opening and an open position in which said valveplate allows fluid communication between the manifold receiver bore andthe base opening into the conduit; and a valve driver disposed in themanifold receiver bore and shaped to be engaged by a manifold disposedin the manifold receiver bore, said valve drive movably mounted to saidmanifold so as to be displaced upon rotation of a manifold in themanifold receiver bore and being connected to said valve plate so thatthe displacement of said valve driver moves said valve plate between theclosed and open positions; and a manifold, said manifold, having: ahousing, said housing having opposed proximal and distal ends, a voidspace between the ends and shaped to be seated in and rotate in themanifold receiver bore; at least one fitting connected to said housingadjacent the distal end, said fitting dimensioned to receive a suctionline and that defines a fluid communications path into the housing voidspace; a base plate that extends over the proximal end of said housing,said base plate having a discharge opening; and a drive feature shapedto releasably engage said valve disk drive member so that the rotationof said manifold results in the displacement of said valve driver. 2.The medical/surgical waste collection assembly of claim 1, wherein saidvalve plate and said valve driver are formed as a single-piece assembly.3. The medical/surgical waste collection assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid valve plate is mounted in said manifold receiver bore so as torotate between the open and closed positions.
 4. The medical/surgicalwaste collection assembly of claim 1, wherein: said valve driver is aboss formed integrally with said valve plate that extends distallyforward in the manifold receiver bore, said boss being formed with abore that extends axially therethrough, and said valve plate is mountedin the manifold receiver bore so that, when the valve plate is in theopen position, said valve plate is positioned so that the boss bore isin registration with the manifold receiver conduit; and said manifoldbase plate discharge opening is shaped so that, when said manifold isseated in the manifold receiver bore, said valve drive boss is seated inthe manifold discharge opening so that a section of the manifold baseplate that defines the discharge opening functions as said manifolddrive feature.
 5. The medical/surgical waste collection assembly ofclaim 1, wherein: said valve driver is a pin located in the manifoldreceiver bore so as to be spaced away from the axis around which saidmanifold rotates in the manifold receiver bore; and said manifold drivefeature is a notch formed in said manifold shaped to receive said pin.6. The medical/surgical waste collection assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid manifold receiver and said manifold are formed with complementarycam features that are positioned so that, upon insertion of the manifoldin the manifold receiver bore, said cam features engage, said camfeatures collectively being shaped so that, to withdraw the manifoldfrom the manifold receiver bore, said manifold cam feature causes saidmanifold cam feature to rotate said manifold so as to cause a likerotation in said valve driver that results in said valve driver movingsaid valve plate from the open position to the closed position.
 7. Themedical/surgical waste collection assembly of claim 1, wherein saidmanifold receiver and said manifold are formed with complementary camfeatures that are positioned so that, upon insertion of the manifold inthe manifold receiver bore, said cam features engage, said cam featuresbeing shaped so that: to initially insert said manifold in the manifoldreceiver bore, said cam features must engage and, upon engagement ofsaid cam features, said cam features orient said manifold in themanifold receiver drive bore so that the manifold drive feature engagessaid valve driver; to further insert said manifold in the manifoldreceiver bore, said cam features cooperate to cause the rotation of saidmanifold that results in said manifold rotating said valve driver sothat said valve driver moves said valve plate from the closed positionto the open position; and to remove said manifold from said manifoldreceiver bore, said cam features cooperate to cause the rotation of saidmanifold that results in said manifold rotating said valve driver sothat said valve driver moves said valve plate from the open position tothe closed position.
 8. The medical/surgical waste collection assemblyof claim 1, wherein said manifold receiver is oriented so that the opendistal end of the manifold receiver bore is located above the boreproximal end so that the longitudinal axis through the bore is at anangle that, relative to the horizontal, is at least 2° and less than90°.
 9. The medical/surgical waste collection assembly of claim 1,wherein said manifold receiver further includes a door movably connectedto said manifold receiver adjacent the manifold receiver bore, said doorbeing mounted to said manifold receiver to normally cover the distal endof the manifold receiver bore and to open upon insertion of saidmanifold into the manifold receiver bore.
 10. A medical/surgical wastecollection assembly, said assembly including: a container for holdingmedical/surgical waste; a manifold receiver connected to said container,said manifold receiver shaped to have: a bore that has an open distalend; and a base that at least partially defines the proximal end of thebore; and a conduit the extends from said base into the container, theconduit having an opening into the manifold bore wherein, the bore has alongitudinal axis that extends from the proximal end to the distal end,and the conduit opening into the bore is spaced from the longitudinalaxis of the bore and the bore is dimensioned to receive a manifold andfurther shaped so that the manifold can rotate in said bore; a valveplate disposed in said manifold receiver bore adjacent the manifoldreceiver base so as to extend over the conduit opening, said valve platemovably mounted to said manifold receiver so as to rotate in a planeparallel to the conduit opening, said valve plate having a closedposition in which said valve plate covers the conduit opening and anopen position in which said valve plate allows fluid communicationbetween the manifold receiver bore and the conduit opening; a valvedriver disposed in the manifold receiver bore and shaped to be engagedby a manifold disposed in the manifold receiver bore, said valve drivemovable mounted to said manifold so as to be displaced upon rotation ofsaid manifold in the manifold receiver bore and being connected to saidvalve plate so that the displacement of said valve drive moves saidvalve plate between the closed and open positions; and a vacuumregulator connected between a suction source and said container, saidvacuum regulator configured to selectively apply suction from thesuction source to said container to regulate the level of suction thesuction source draws on said container and the manifold receiverconduit.
 11. The medical/surgical waste collection unit of claim 10,wherein said valve plate and said valve driver are formed as asingle-piece assembly.
 12. The medical/surgical waste collection unit ofclaim 10, wherein said valve driver is located in the manifold receiverbore so as to be centered along an axis that is spaced from thelongitudinal axis of the bore.
 13. The medical/surgical waste collectionunit of claim 10, wherein said manifold receiver is formed with a camfeature to which, upon insertion of the manifold in the manifoldreceiver bore, a complementary manifold cam feature engages, saidmanifold receiver cam feature being shaped so that, to withdraw themanifold from the manifold receiver bore, said manifold receiver camfeature causes the manifold cam feature to rotate the manifold so as tocause a like rotation in said valve driver that results in said valvedriver moving said valve plate from the open position to the closedposition.
 14. The medical/surgical waste collection unit of claim 10,wherein said manifold receiver has at least one interior wall thatdefines the manifold receiver bore, the interior wall being shaped todefine a slot that is recessed inwardly from the wall and arcuately atleast partially around the manifold receiver bore.
 15. Amedical/surgical waste collection assembly, said assembly including: acontainer for holding medical/surgical waste; a vacuum regulatorconnected between a suction source and said container, said vacuumregulator configured to selectively apply suction from the suctionsource to said container to regulate the level of suction the suctionsource draws on said container; a manifold receiver connected to saidcontainer; said manifold receiver including: a housing, said housingshaped to have: a bore with opposed distal and proximal ends, the distalend of the bore being open, the bore shaped to receive a manifold sothat the manifold can rotate around an axis that extends longitudinallythrough the bore; a base section that defines the proximal end of thebore; an opening in the base section; and a first conduit that extendsfrom the base section opening into the container so that suction drawnon the container is drawn on the conduit; and a valve plate disposed insaid housing adjacent the base section, said valve plate disposed overthe base section opening; said valve plate including a boss that extendsinto the manifold receiver housing bore, said boss shaped to be receivedin a discharge opening in the manifold and having a bore that extendstherethrough, wherein said valve plate is movably mounted in saidhousing so as to move between closed and open positions wherein, whensaid valve plate is in the closed position, said valve plate covers thehousing base section opening and when said valve plate is in the openposition, the boss bore is in registration with the base sectionopening.
 16. The medical/surgical waste collection assembly of claim 15,wherein said valve plate is in the form of a disk.
 17. Themedical/surgical waste collection unit of claim 15, wherein saidmanifold receiver housing is formed with a cam feature to which, uponinsertion of the manifold in the manifold receiver bore, a complementarymanifold cam feature engages, said manifold receiver cam feature beingshaped so that, to withdraw the manifold from the manifold receiverbore, said manifold receiver cam feature causes the manifold cam featureto rotate the manifold so as to cause a like rotation in said valveplate boss that results in said boss moving said valve plate from theopen position to the closed position.
 18. The medical/surgical wastecollection unit of claim 15, wherein said manifold receiver is orientedso that the open distal end of the housing bore is located above thebore proximal end so that a longitudinal axis through the bore is at anangle that, relative to the horizontal, is at least 2° and less than90°.
 19. The medical/surgical waste collection unit of claim 15, whereinsaid manifold receiver housing is formed with an alignment feature towhich, upon insertion of the manifold in the manifold receiver housingbore, a component of the manifold engages, said housing alignmentfeature being positioned so that when the manifold component engagessaid housing alignment feature, the manifold discharge opening formed inthe manifold aligns with said valve plate boss when said valve plate isin the closed position.
 20. The medical/surgical waste collection unitof claim 15, wherein said manifold receiver is further formed to have aninterior wall that extends proximally from the distal end of themanifold receiver bore to define the bore and at least one slot that isrecessed inwardly from the interior wall, the at least one slotextending proximally from the distal end of the bore and having at aproximal end spaced from the distal end of the bore a section thatextends arcuately around the bore wherein, a surface of said manifoldreceiver that defines the slot arcuate section extends is at an obliqueangle to the longitudinal axis of the receiver bore.